Friends maiden voyage ....TrailManor

Chip - I don't see any compromises there!

All things aside, hind sight is 20/20. We had a good deal with our TM. You're right, even used they still cost a bit. Maybe I've got my sights set too high, but to find one for our trip would be great. We love our Funfinder but a standard TT no matter what length or weight gets about the same mpg, 10-12. Sure do miss our TM. Five miles to the gallon difference on a 10,000 mile vacation adds up!

jspringator wrote:
We have been transporting our dog in the trailer in his Kennel. He won't get in the Excursion. We just leave a couple of vents open, and the temps don't get that bad. We let im out for walk every stop.

Is there any way to do something like that with the Trailmanor or Aliner? I realize you would have to open it up to some extent to get him in and out.

Before we bought our TrailManor, we were hoping that we could put our cat in the trailer while traveling. I posted on the TrailManor Owners Board asking whether or not this was possible. The replies indicated that the carbon monoxide from the exhaust of the TV would most likely somehow make it into the TrailManor and because of the way it folds down, there wouldn't be enough ventilation to be sure that your pet would be safe.

On the other hand, while traveling, I've never pulled over and stopped with ours finding the CO alarm going off. The only time it ever went off was when one of our camping neighbors was idling his truck right next to us at the campground.

Still, with the 45 seconds or so it takes to open up the unit to just reach inside, in case something in there caught on fire, I wouldn't want my beloved pet inside there.

I just don't think having a pet alone in the TM closed down is a good idea. We always brought along a fabric folding carrier in the truck and let her out once we were on the road. She would just chill out in the back seat of the truck with the kids until we stopped, and then we'd put her back into the carrier.

Upon edit, I'm not sure if the CO detector is on the same circuit that shuts down when the trailer is folded down. I'll look into this and report back.

Actually, if you take what I paid for my last pup, all the expenses inbetween (including CG expenses), less what I got for it as a trade in, I think I was under a typical Motel 6. I also saved a lot of money by being able to cook meals. And, yes, there are the views.

CKNSLS wrote:

sushidog wrote:
To me it's a hassle waiting and waiting at the gas pump while $60, $70, $80 or more in fuel goes into the tank. I prefer the brief time it takes to pump $30 of gas into my little TV's gas tank. BTW it's also a hassle to work all the extra time to earn this additional money for fuel, not to mention the hassle of earning the money to pay for, insure, maintain, repair, etc. a bigger dedicated TV. Compared to that option, I'll gladly apend the 30 second extra set-up time of my little Aliner, as it would take more than 30 seconds more just to fill a huge TV's gas tank at each fill-up. :W

Chip

You don't get in to RVing because it's cheap or to get good gas mpg.

If you want cheap and to get good gas mpg Motel 6 is your best bet.

While there is nothing wrong with an Aliner or Trailmanor, using these methods to camp there are more compromises, thus is why you see a very small number of these type of trailers in campgrounds.

Sure, life's a compromise. To each his own. There's no "right" choice. They sell $20 tents to million dollar Class A's and everything in-between. When they build a Motel-6 where I have a view like this through the window:

(and I can catch rainbow trout from front porch)
or this:

then I might do just that.

Until then, I'll camp in my tiny Aliner, enjoying all the comforts of home, including a king sized bed, cassette potty/shower, 3 way fridge, 3 burner stove, microwave, air condition, etc. on a budget I can afford. When I retire (in 5 yrs) to a full-time mobile lifestyle (and have no other abode, but must carry all my possessions on my back like a snail) it will be in a 34ft travel trailer. Until then...

Chip

sushidog wrote:
To me it's a hassle waiting and waiting at the gas pump while $60, $70, $80 or more in fuel goes into the tank. I prefer the brief time it takes to pump $30 of gas into my little TV's gas tank. BTW it's also a hassle to work all the extra time to earn this additional money for fuel, not to mention the hassle of earning the money to pay for, insure, maintain, repair, etc. a bigger dedicated TV. Compared to that option, I'll gladly apend the 30 second extra set-up time of my little Aliner, as it would take more than 30 seconds more just to fill a huge TV's gas tank at each fill-up. :W

Chip

You don't get in to RVing because it's cheap or to get good gas mpg.

If you want cheap and to get good gas mpg Motel 6 is your best bet.

While there is nothing wrong with an Aliner or Trailmanor, using these methods to camp there are more compromises, thus is why you see a very small number of these type of trailers in campgrounds.

To me it's a hassle waiting and waiting at the gas pump while $60, $70, $80 or more in fuel goes into the tank. I prefer the brief time it takes to pump $30 of gas into my little TV's gas tank. BTW it's also a hassle to work all the extra time to earn this additional money for fuel, not to mention the hassle of earning the money to pay for, insure, maintain, repair, etc. a bigger dedicated TV. Compared to that option, I'll gladly apend the 30 second extra set-up time of my little Aliner, as it would take more than 30 seconds more just to fill a huge TV's gas tank at each fill-up. :W

Chip

I am kind of surprised at people who are complaining about the Trailmanor setup. They do realize this subforum is about folding trailers, right? The Trailmanor is much easier than a typical PUP.

Chris,

As we were involved (on the periphery) in the search for
a "gently used" TrailManor ...I can say, they are tough
to locate, and still seem to get good cash for used.

Good luck in the hunt, great idea. Save the cash where you
can.... seem an easy flip on resale.

Charles

We had two Trailmanors. We had the 2720SL with cabinet a/c and then a 3326. Wish we had one now as we are planning a trip from Mexico to the U.S. and Canada in the spring. Great on gas mileage, very roomy, and very easy to set up.

I have even looked at a few used ones thinking we can use it for six months on our trip and sell it after.

Great picture!